Former Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier was watching Thursday night when Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on a stretcher.
He quickly tweeted out a message of support.
“(Prayers) for Tua. May god be with you and hopefully okay. The staff in UC hospital do a great job with care. You’re in great hands,” Shazier wrote.
???????????????????????? for tua. May god be with you and hopefully okay. The staff in UC hospital do a great job with care. Your in great hands. #DolphinsvsBengals
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) September 30, 2022
As Pittsburghers know, Shazier was was paralyzed temporarily after making a tackle during a December 2017 game against the Bengals. Shazier underwent spinal stabilization surgery. He has never played again.
Tagovailoa’s situation is clearly different, but his injury during Thursday’s game caused outrage and concern from NFL fans and players. On Sunday, Tagovailoa left Miami’s game against the Buffalo Bills with what was initially described by the team as a head injury. He stumbled as he tried to walk off the injury. Later, he returned and led the Dolphins to victory.
Many fans wondered why he was in Thursday’s game at all. The NFL Players’ Association vowed to conduct an investigation over potential protocol violations.
Player health and safety is at the core of the union's mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) September 30, 2022
Ryan Clark, a former Steelers safety and sports commentator, shared his experiences with concussions.
I didn’t buy Tua’s back injury, & I’m afraid I was right. I’ve had 2 concussions in 3 weeks before, & the 2nd was so much worse than the first.
Take care of yourself bro. We can lie to others, but we can’t lie to ourselves. If you watch the film you know, and the film don’t lie
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 30, 2022
Here are some more reactions.
Thinking about how the Dolphins handled Tua over the past week. Compare that to Mike Tomlin, who held Ryan Clark out of the Denver game due to his sickle cell – despite him being medically cleared – in case something happened.
"I got an obligation to safeguard him." pic.twitter.com/grU7sdrpMj
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 30, 2022
This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022. pic.twitter.com/D8S8eEbgda
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
Stop showing the replays. Please.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 30, 2022
Praying Tua is okay & able to continue playing, I’m in the stands so it’s hard to see what actually happened outside of it just being a sack, hate seeing players get injured ????????
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 30, 2022
The Miami Dolphins later tweeted that the 24-year-old quarterback was “taken to a local hospital for further evaluation,” and conscious with “movement in all his extremities.”
Tua Tagovailoa has been taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. He is conscious and has movement in all his extremities.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 30, 2022
